By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Recycling to help animal shelters

Most Long Islander’s are accustomed to recycling their plastic and glass bottles, newspaper, aluminum cans and some are even composting. But what about items that you throw away that could be used by our local Animal Shelters? You might be surprised to learn some of the items that are being thrown into our landfills may make a nice warm bed for shelter cats and dogs. In speaking with Joanne Daly of the Town of Islip Animal Shelter she said they could use the following items: newspapers to be used in place of cat litter; clean used blankets, sheets and towels; play pens; and is specifically looking for (2) wooden toy chests. One for storage of dog toys and the other to store leashes. They could also really use dry cat food and puppy food.

What about if you are not a pet owner at all, yet you clip coupons every Sunday? Some local non-profit animal rescue organizations like Forgotten Friends of Long Island (http://www.forgottenfriendsoflongisland.org/Wish_list.html ) and Last Hope Inc. (http://www.lasthopeanimalrescue.org/wish-list.htm) could really use cat and dog food, treat and supply coupons, to help deter their costs. So why not clip the pet coupons and mail to them in, especially if you are not using them.

Other items that are needed range from donating your used car, to used but clean dog and cat carriers and crates, old furniture for “real life” rooms at private animal shelters, to something as simple as used tennis balls. And to help beat the heat kiddie pools in good condition, a dog in a kennel all day long this summer would appreciate a dip in a cool pool.

So if you want to donate, but don’t have the budget to contribute monetarily, there are always ways you can help, and be green while doing so. Call your own local Animal Shelter to see what they may need – it might in your recycle bin or about to be tossed out.

By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Huntington Town voted Most pet friendly

In a recent 2-week long poll taken by LIPetPlace.com asking, “What Town do you think is the most Pet Friendly on Long Island?” The Town of Huntington beat out Smithtown and Islip by one vote as being the most pet friendly. While every town was voted for in Suffolk, Babylon surprisingly coming last place, in Nassau only the Town of Oyster Bay, and City of Long Beach got any votes, and all the other Nassau towns didn’t get any – kind of tells you something doesn’t it. It would be great to see every town on Long Island get voted for as being most pet friendly, but as many of you reading this know, it’s not always the case. Growing up in Suffolk county and having dogs, cats, and riding horses, it never even occurred to me that a town or village could be unfriendly towards pet owners, you were pretty much allowed to go anywhere with your pet. Today, there are places that we can no longer go to with our pets, but usually it’s because of an endangered species, (like at certain beaches that used to be more dog friendly), or there are just more restrictions as we get more crowded.

Still today, we are fortunate in Suffolk vs. Nassau to be in a more pet friendly county. Although there are hidden gems in Nassau that not a lot of people know about. In the coming months some of those spots will be explored and rated on LIPetPlace.com. But in the meantime what would you like to see your Town or Village do, to be more pet friendly? How can you help government officials to do so?

July 7, 2010
By Pamela Fitzpatrick, of YourDogWalkers, shihtzu58@optonline.net

HEAT WAVE – HOT WEATHER TIPS

For pet owners, a heat wave like the one we’re currently experiencing requires taking extra care to ensure pet safety. NEVER leave any animal inside a parked car during the summer- a car can heat up to 120 degrees in just a matter of minutes even on a much cooler day than today. Leaving car windows open wont help! Pets can quickly suffer heatstroke, brain damage, and death if left trapped in high temperatures.

Make sure your dog or cat has plenty of fresh, clean water at all times. Consider floating ice cubes in water bowls to help keep the water cool. Keep animals inside, in air conditioning if possible. If you don’t have air conditioning, try placing a large bowl of ice in front of a fan to circulate cooler air.

Dogs are particularly susceptible to heat related problems, in part because they can only cool themselves by panting and sweating through their paw pads. Short nosed breeds, (Boxers, Pugs, Pekinese, Shih Tzu’s etc) and well as longhaired, overweight, and very young or old animals are especially at risk

Signs of heat stress in dogs include:

• Heavy Panting
• Glazed Eyes
• Rapid Pulse
• Unsteadiness
• Vomiting
• Deep red or purple tongue

If your pet does become overheated, you must act quickly to lower their body temperature!

Move the animal into the shade and immediately apply cool (not cold) water over their body to gradually lower the temperature The dog should be taken to the veterinarian’s office or to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately. Most dogs will not drink water at this stage of heat stroke, so don’t waste time trying to get them to drink. Get to the vet’s as quickly as possible.

Remember, if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet!